Laryngoscope and method of use

ABSTRACT

A laryngoscope for use in viewing the vocal cords of a patient in performance of an endotracheal intubation. The laryngoscope includes a handle to be gripped by a medical professional in performing the endotracheal intubation; a blade portion extending from the handle to lift the patient&#39;s tongue and mandible for viewing the vocal cords and aid in the insertion of an endotracheal tube; a power source; and a black light source powered by the power source and carried by the blade portion to prompt the visible effects of fluorescence and phosphorescence with respect to the patient&#39;s vocal cords for viewing the vocal cords and passing of the endotracheal tube there between during endotracheal intubation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of this invention relates to laryngoscopes and thelaryngoscopy procedure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Health care providers perform direct laryngoscopy to either clear apatient's airway of debris, or place an endotracheal tube into apatient's trachea to assist or replace a patient's ability to oxygenatehis/her system. The laryngoscope utilizes either a lighted straight orcurved blade that allows visualization of the vocal cords, indicatingthe opening of the trachea. This lighted blade is used to keep thetongue from obstructing the medical provider's view of the vocal cords.The tip of the blade lifts the epiglottis, thereby providing a directview into the patient's trachea, and reducing the risk of intubating theesophagus instead. Laryngoscopes in the past have used halogen or LEDbulbs to provide a white light source on the laryngoscope blade toilluminate the vocal cords during laryngoscopy. Even with a light sourceon the laryngoscope blade, viewing of the vocal cords has still provendifficult during laryngoscopy. Accordingly, without the ability to viewthe vocal cords, many possible laryngoscopy procedures are not performedsuccessfully, resulting in additional harm or death for the patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve these problems and others, an aspect of present inventioninvolves a laryngoscope including an improved light source. Thelaryngoscope blade carries a black light source that emits a black lightduring laryngoscopy. The black light enhances visualization of the vocalcords so that visualization of the endotracheal tube passing through thevocal cords is enhanced. The black light emitted from the laryngoscopeenhances colors that are white and/or contain phosphors in the region ofthe vocal cords, enhancing visualization of the target vocal cords. Inanother implementation of the laryngoscope, the laryngoscope bladecarries a black light source and a white light source. A switch on thelaryngoscope enables the health care provide to actuate the black lightsource, the white light source, or to activate both light sources.

An additional aspect of the invention involves a laryngoscope for use inviewing the vocal cords of a patient in performance of an endotrachealintubation. The laryngoscope includes a handle to be gripped by amedical professional in performing the endotracheal intubation; a bladeportion extending from the handle to lift the patient's tongue andmandible for viewing the vocal cords and aid in the insertion of anendotracheal tube; a power source; and a black light source powered bythe power source and carried by the blade portion to prompt the visibleeffects of fluorescence and phosphorescence with respect to thepatient's vocal cords for viewing the vocal cords and passing of theendotracheal tube there between during endotracheal intubation.

Another aspect of the invention involves an endotracheal intubationsystem for performing an endotracheal intubation including thelaryngoscope described immediately above; and an endotracheal tubeinsertable into the patient's mouth, between the patient's vocal cordsinto the patient's larynx, and into the patient's trachea for openingthe patient's airway.

A further aspect of the invention involves a method of performing anendotracheal intubation including using the laryngoscope describedimmediately above to lift the patient's tongue and mandible for viewingthe vocal cords and aid in the insertion of an endotracheal tube;illuminating the patient's vocal cords with the black light source toprompt the visible effects of fluorescence and phosphorescence withrespect to the patient's vocal cords for viewing the vocal cords; andsimultaneously visualizing the patient's vocal cords with the blacklight source and sliding the endotracheal tube between the patient'svocal cords and into the patient's larynx and trachea.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in theart after a review of the drawings and the detailed description of thepreferred embodiments set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a laryngoscope being used to view apatient's larynx;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a laryngoscope in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a bottom plan view of the laryngoscope of FIG. 2, andillustrates an embodiment of a switch that may be used with the of thelaryngoscope of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of an alternative embodiment of alaryngoscope, and illustrates an embodiment of a black light source onthe bottom of the laryngoscope;

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of an endotracheal tube that may be used withthe laryngoscope of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of a kit of endotracheal tubes that may be usedwith the laryngoscope of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of an endotracheal tube that may beused with the laryngoscope of FIGS. 1-3 or a standard laryngoscope.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of a pair of protection intubation glasses thatmay be used with the laryngoscope of FIGS. 1-3 and/or the endotrachealtube(s) of FIGS. 4-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a laryngoscope 100 constructed inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention will be described. InFIG. 1, the laryngoscope 100 is shown placed in the mouth of a patient112 for viewing the vocal cords adjacent the larynx and to aid in theinsertion of an endotracheal tube 200 (FIG. 4) past the vocal cords. Thelaryngoscope 100 includes a handle or handgrip 114 and a blade portion116, the latter being used to lift the tongue and mandible 118 out ofthe way for viewing the vocal cords.

As shown in FIG. 2, the blade portion 116 is pivotally connected to ahandle cap 120. The blade portion 116, the handle cap 120, and thehandle 114 can be readily assembled together for use. In the embodimentshown, when assembled, a white light source 150 and a black light source160 are automatically actuated. In an alternative embodiment, the bladeportion 116 is directly connected to a top of the handle 114 (i.e.,there is no handle cap). The handle 114 is essentially a hollow tubehaving a closed lower or outer end 122 (FIG. 3) and an open upper end.The handle cap 120 is removably secured to an open upper end of thehandle 114. A power source 123 (e.g., one or more dry cell batteries) islocated within the handle cavity to provide power for light source(s) tobe described.

A side of the handle 114 includes a switch 128 in the form of twopressure/push buttons 129, 130 interconnected with the power source 123,the white light source 150, and the black light source 160 that, whenpressed (e.g., by a user's thumb), deactivate the respective lightsources 150,160. When the laryngoscope 100 is clickedtogether/assembled, both light sources 150, 160 are placed in electricalcommunication with the power source 123 and are automatically turned on.In the embodiment shown, push button (“white light button”) 129 controlsthe white light source 150 so that pushing on the white light button 129turns off the white light source 150 and push button (“black lightbutton”) 130 controls the black light source 160 so that pushing on theblack light button 130 turns off the black light source 160. Thus, byapplying pressure to the push buttons 129, 130, the respective lightsources 150,160 are turned off. Removing the pressure to the pushbuttons 129, 130 causes the respective light sources 150, 160 to beturned back on. Accordingly, the switch 128 enables the laryngoscope 100to be switched between at least a “both on” condition where both blacklight is emitted from the black light source 160 and white light isemitted from the white light source 150, a black light condition whereblack light is emitted from the black light source 160 and the whitelight source 150 is off, and a white light condition where white lightis emitted from the white light source 150 and the black light source160 is off.

With reference to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of a switch 131located on a bottom 124 of the handle 114 is shown. The switch 131cooperates with electronics in the laryngoscope 100 for switchingbetween an “off” condition, a black light condition, a white lightcondition, and a “both on” condition. In the embodiment shown, theswitch 131 is a rotating switch with a rotating knob 132 that rotatesbetween different positions to actuate the above conditions.

In alternative embodiments, other types of switches may be used (e.g.,push-button switch, a toggle switch) on the bottom 124 of the handle 114(or at other locations on the laryngoscope 100) to switch between an“off” condition and one or more of a black light condition, a whitelight condition, and a “both on” condition. In alternative embodiments,the switch 128, 131 may switch between conditions in addition to orother than an “off” condition, a black light condition, a white lightcondition, and a “both on” condition. For example, in an alternativeembodiment, where the laryngoscope 100 includes only a black lightsource 160, the switch 128, 131 may switch the laryngoscope 100 betweenan “off” condition and a black light condition.

One or more light sources 140 are interconnected with the power source123 in the handle 114. In the embodiment shown, as discussed above, theone or more light sources 140 include two light sources: 1) a whitelight source 150, and 2) a black light source 160. Example white lightsources 150 include, but not by way of limitation, a white halogenlight, a white incandescent light, and a white LED. The black lightsource 160 emits long wave UVA radiation and very little visible light.The black light source is a lamp emitting electromagnetic radiation thatis almost exclusively in the soft near ultraviolet range. The blacklight source 160 prompts the visible effects of fluorescence andphosphorescence with respect to the patient's vocal cords and theglottis, which is the space between the vocal cords, duringlaryngoscopy. The black light source 160 may be a Wood's light madeusing Wood's glass, which is a nickel-oxide-doped glass, which blockssubstantially all visible light above 400 nanometers. In alternativeembodiments, other black light sources 160 (e.g., LED(s)) may be used.Preferably, the black light source 160 emits electromagnetic radiationincluding a wavelength in the range of 315 to 400 nm, with out emittingsubstantial electromagnetic radiation including a wavelength outside ofthe range of 315 to 400 nm. In a most preferred embodiment, the blacklight source 160 includes a wavelength of about 365 nm.

In the embodiment shown, the blade portion 116 is a curved Macintoshblade; however, in alternative embodiments, other types of blades (e.g.,straight Miller/Robertshaw blade) may be used. The blade portion 116carries the one or more light sources 140. Although the one or morelight sources 140 are shown on a top of the blade portion 116, inalternative embodiments, the one or more light sources 140 are disposedat one or more of the following locations: a side of the blade portion116, a bottom of the blade portion 116, a top of the blade portion 116,a distal tip of the blade portion 116, and other locations on orrelative to the blade portion 116.

With reference to FIG. 3B, in a further embodiment, in addition to orinstead of the one or more light sources 140 being carried by the bladeportion 116, a black light source (e.g., black light source 160) iscarried by the bottom 124 of the handle 114 for emitting black lightfrom the bottom 124 of the handle 114. In such an embodiment, a switch(e.g., switch 128) for controlling the black light source on the bottom124 of the handle 114 is preferably located in a location other than thebottom 124 of the handle 114.

With reference to FIG. 4, an embodiment of an endotracheal tube 200 thatmay be used with the laryngoscope 100 (as part of an endotrachealintubation system) in performing endotracheal intubation will bedescribed. The endotracheal tube 200 includes a clear plastic intubationtube 210 with an elongated central lumen. The intubation tube 210includes a larger-diameter open upper end 212, which may include a cap,and a pointed open lower end or tip 214. An elongated scope (e.g., afiberoptic scope) 220 may be received within the lumen of the intubationtube 210. The scope 220 includes a distal viewing tip 230. A plastictransparent holding sheath may cover the scope 220. A longitudinallybuilt-in narrow malleable metal intubation stylet 240, which is a narrowpiece of flat metal, may be built into the holding sheath and adhered toan outer wall of the holding sheath for controlling the geometry/shapeof the scope 220/endotracheal tube 200 to match the physiology/anatomyof the patient during endotracheal intubation.

In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the intubation tube 210 andthe stylet 240 include a fluorescent color or other color/substance thatis enhanced by the black light or that reacts to the black light (on theentire tube 210/stylet 240 or a portion and/or component there of).

A method of performing endotracheal intubation using the laryngoscope100 and the endotracheal tube 200 will be described. The black lightsource 160 of the laryngoscope 100 is activated (e.g., when thelaryngoscope 100 is clicked together/assembled. The blade portion 160 ofthe laryngoscope 100 is inserted into the patient's mouth and behind thepatient's tongue and mandible 118. By gripping the handle 114 with one'shand, the tongue and mandible 118 are lifted for viewing the vocal cordsadjacent the larynx and to aid in the insertion of the endotracheal tube200 past the vocal cords. The black light emitted from the laryngoscope100 prompts the visible effects of fluorescence and phosphorescence withrespect to the patient's vocal cords and the glottis, making thepatient's vocal cords and the glottis visible either directly by theeyes of the medical provider or via the scope 220 of the endotrachealtube 200. The endotracheal tube 200 is inserted into the patient'smouth, between the patient's visible vocal cords into the larynx, andthen into the trachea of the patient in a usual manner. The stylet 200of the endotracheal tube 200 may be used to shape the scope220/endotracheal tube 200 to the individual anatomy/pathology of thepatient.

As discussed above, in the embodiment of the laryngoscope 100 shown inFIG. 1, applying pressure to the push buttons 129, 130 causes therespective light sources 150, 160 to be deactivated and removing thepressure to the push buttons 129, 130 causes the respective lightsources 150, 160 to be re-activated. The medical provider operates thepush buttons 129, 130 of the switch 128 (e.g., to cause only black lightto be emitted, only white light to be emitted, or both types of light tobe emitted) so that optimal viewing of the vocal cords occurs. Themedical provider may prefer to use the black light condition and/or thewhite light condition, depending on external lighting conditions, theindividual anatomy/pathology of the patient, the patient's condition,and other factors.

With reference to FIG. 5, in another embodiment of the aboveendotracheal tube 200, a kit 300 of endotracheal tubes 200, intubationtubes 210, and/or stylets 240 of different sizes (e.g., differentweight, height, and/or depth; adult version, pediatric version) arecolor-coded with different fluorescent colors or other color/substancethat is enhanced by the black light or that reacts to the black light.For example, but not by way of limitation, the intubation tube 210 ofeach different endotracheal tube 200 is coated with a unique fluorescentcolored material or other color/substance that is enhanced by the blacklight or that reacts to the black light. The entire endotracheal tube200 may include a fluorescent color or one or more portions of theendotracheal tube 200 may include one or more fluorescent colors (orother color/substance that is enhanced by the black light or that reactsto the black light). For example, but not by way of limitation, a cap ofthe endotracheal tube 200 may include a unique fluorescent color (orother color/substance), the intubation tube 210 may include a uniquefluorescent color (or other color/substance), and/or the stylet 240 mayinclude a unique fluorescent color (or other color/substance) foridentifying the proper size endotracheal tube 200, intubation tube 210,and/or stylet 240, and for improving visualization of the endotrachealtube 200, intubation tube 210, and/or stylet 240 during endotrachealintubation. Using the black light source 160 of the laryngoscope 100,one may easily identify the correct-sized endotracheal tube 200,intubation tube 210, and/or stylet 240 by shining black light on the kitof endotracheal tubes 200, intubation tubes 210, and/or stylets 240identified by different fluorescent colors (or other color/substance) sothat the proper-sized endotracheal tube 200, intubation tube 210, and/orstylet 240 for the patient/application is selected. Thedifferent-size/fluorescent-color endotracheal tubes 200, intubationtubes 210, and/or stylets 240 are easy to identify with a black lightsource, especially in no-light, low-light, or dark conditions. Further,the fluorescent (or other color/substance) endotracheal tube 200,intubation tube 210, and/or stylet 240, in combination with the blacklight laryngoscope 100, improves visualization of the endotracheal tube200, intubation tube 210, and/or stylet 240 passing the vocal cordsduring endotracheal intubation.

With reference to FIG. 6, in another embodiment, the stylet 240 and/orthe endotracheal tube 200 includes a black light source 350 that emitsblack light to enhance visualization of the vocal cords duringendotracheal intubation. For example, the stylet 240 and/or theendotracheal tube 200 with black light source 250 may be used inconjunction with the laryngoscope 100 discussed above with respect toFIGS. 1-3, or in conjunction with a normal laryngoscope that does nothave a black light source 150.

With reference to FIG. 7, an embodiment of a pair of protectionintubation glasses 400 includes lenses 410 configured (e.g., tinted to aparticular shade) so that when used in conjunction with the black lightsources described above during endotracheal intubation, the visibilityof the vocal cords is intensified/enhanced.

The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention,which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionalitythat can be included in the invention. The invention is not restrictedto the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can beimplemented using a variety of alternative architectures andconfigurations. Additionally, although the invention is described abovein terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it shouldbe understood that the various features and functionality described inone or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described,but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or moreof the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not suchembodiments are described and whether or not such features are presentedas being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope ofthe present invention, especially in the following claims, should not belimited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectivessuch as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms ofsimilar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item describedto a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, butinstead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal,or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at anytime in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with theconjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and everyone of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be readas “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group ofitems linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiringmutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as“and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item,elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed inthe singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereofunless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence ofbroadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but notlimited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read tomean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances wheresuch broadening phrases may be absent.

1. A laryngoscope for use in viewing the vocal cords of a patient inperformance of an endotracheal intubation, comprising: a handle to begripped by a medical professional in performing the endotrachealintubation; a blade portion extending from the handle to lift thepatient's tongue and mandible for viewing the vocal cords and aid in theinsertion of an endotracheal tube; a power source; and a black lightsource powered by the power source and carried by the blade portion toprompt the visible effects of fluorescence and phosphorescence withrespect to the patient's vocal cords for viewing the vocal cords andsurrounding anatomy and passing of the endotracheal tube there betweenduring endotracheal intubation; and a white light source carried by theblade portion to provide general illumination of the interior of thepatient's mouth and back of the patient's throat, the black light sourceand the white light source switchable to a both on condition, whereinthe blade portion includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, andone of the black light source and the while light source located closerto the distal portion of the blade portion and the other of the blacklight source and the while light source located closer to the proximalportion of the blade portion.
 2. The laryngoscope of claim 1, whereinthe black light source emits long wave UVA radiation in the soft nearultraviolet range.
 3. The laryngoscope of claim 1, wherein the blacklight source is a Wood's light using Wood's glass that blockssubstantially all visible light above 400 nanometers.
 4. Thelaryngoscope of claim 1, further including a switch and a white lightsource powered by the power source, wherein the switch interconnectswith the power source, the black light source, and the white lightsource to switch the laryngoscope between at least an “off” conditionwhere no light is emitted, a black light condition where black light isemitted from the black light source, and a white light condition wherewhite light is emitted from the white light source.
 5. The laryngoscopeof claim 4, wherein the handle includes a bottom, and the switch islocated on the bottom of the handle.
 6. The laryngoscope of claim 1,wherein the handle includes a bottom, and further including a handleblack light source that is located on the bottom of the handle and ispowered by the power source.
 7. An endotracheal intubation system forperforming an endotracheal intubation, comprising: the laryngoscope ofclaim 1; and an endotracheal tube insertable into the patient's mouth,between the patient's vocal cords into the patient's larynx, and intothe patient's trachea for opening the patient's airway.
 8. Theendotracheal intubation system of claim 7, further including a kit ofmultiple different fluorescent colored endotracheal tubes, eachdistinctly color coded for a different size endotracheal tube.
 9. Theendotracheal intubation system of claim 8, wherein one or more portionsof the endotracheal tubes include a distinct fluorescent color.
 10. Theendotracheal intubation system of claim 7, further including a kit ofmultiple different fluorescent colored stylets, each distinctly colorcoded for a different size stylet, the stylet being shapeable forcontrolling the shape of the endotracheal tube to match the physiologyof the patient during endotracheal intubation.
 11. The endotrachealintubation system of claim 7, wherein the endotracheal tube furtherincludes a black light source to prompt the visible effects offluorescence and phosphorescence with respect to the patient's vocalcords for viewing the vocal cords and passing of the endotracheal tubethere between during endotracheal intubation.
 12. The endotrachealintubation system of claim 7, further including protection intubationglasses with lenses that enhance the visible effects of fluorescence andphosphorescence with respect to the patient's vocal cords for viewingthe vocal cords and passing of the endotracheal tube there betweenduring endotracheal intubation.
 13. A method of performing anendotracheal intubation, comprising: using the laryngoscope of claim 1to lift the patient's tongue and mandible for viewing the vocal cordsand aid in the insertion of an endotracheal tube; switching the blacklight source and the white light source to a both on condition forsimultaneously performing the following: illuminating the patient'svocal cords with the black light source to prompt the visible effects offluorescence and phosphorescence with respect to the patient's vocalcords for viewing the vocal cords and surrounding anatomy, and providinggeneral illumination with the white light source of the interior of thepatient's mouth and back of the patient's throat, wherein the bladeportion includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, and one of theblack light source and the while light source located closer to thedistal portion of the blade portion and the other of the black lightsource and the while light source located closer to the proximal portionof the blade portion; simultaneously visualizing the patient's vocalcords with the black light source and sliding the endotracheal tubebetween the patient's vocal cords and into the patient's larynx andtrachea.